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It’s that time of year. Shopping and Gift Giving. If you are looking for thoughtful, unique gifts for your family and friends, think handmade! This weekend, peruse The Handmade Collective group on Facebook for some great one of a kind gifts that are made from the heart: https://www.facebook.com/TheNewHandmadeCollective

And for this weekend only, November 29-December 1, use this discount code to make your purchases!

Follow The Handmade Collective on Twitter: @HandmadeCollect and use the hashtag #BuyHandmadeHoliday

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

AAMBC New Book Release

Crowned by Princess Dior

Book Synopsis:

Crowned by Princess Dior

Roxy has been on a paper chase ever since her mother was incarcerated. Left to fend for herself she turns to the one place that doesn’t judge her; the streets. When her life begins to spiral out of control she has to decide whether she is ready to own up to her mistakes and the people she has crossed or trade in her Gucci shoes and king-sized bed for state issued slippers and a twin sized cot.

Princess Dior, born Princess Estella Dior Washington to Queen Esther Perkins, faced many challenges in her younger life. Raised by a single mother that she viewed to be the most powerful woman in the world, Princess’s life was nothing less than boring. Growing up, Princess watched as her mother hustled to provide for her and her siblings by any means necessary. Taking great pride in her mother’s determination to raise her family, Princess embodied in her strength which molded her into an outspoken, well-dressed little girl with her eyes on the world.

Grounded by the church, and expressing hobbies for writing and speaking publicly, Princess began to showcase her talents at the mere age of thirteen and has yet to look back. Filled with the desire to help, she began to use her talents to motivate and uplift others through writing and public speaking. Since being raised in a church filled environment, Princess knew that taking on the role of being over the morning announcements and the dance ministry would be worth something more than a resume builder.

Taking her religious values very seriously, Estella believed that she was destined to do great things. As life would have it, Princess took a turn into the game of survival which lead to leading a life as a “Hustler’s Wife”. Becoming accustomed to the fabrication of a fabulous life, Princess turned to the streets to provide her with all of life’s riches. Hustling became her new lease on life until she found herself facing a 35 year prison sentence. With her hands clasp together on bended knees, she remembered her mother saying “No weapon formed against you shall prosper”. Renewing her faith in God, Estella began to reevaluate her outlook on life.

Feeling that the enemy won, Estella’s reclamation of her salvation while in wait at the women’s detention center only added more blessings for this newfound young woman. Winning the Correctional Idol Contest gave her the affirmation that she needed. Recommencing the skills that never left her hand or her heart, Estella won a spot on a CD with Malcolm Jamal Warner and on Russell Simmons Def Poetry Slam.

Enjoying her renowned love for writing, poetry, and mentorship, Estella spread all of her positive energy throughout her family and ministry on love, life, and inspiration. By creating an image to inspire others with her story and the recreation of her life, this aspiring Media Mogul wanted to share her trials and tribulations to mentor others and show them the path that God has set forth. Knowing and believing that God can and will show up in your life during your most controversial times, Estella wants all to know that being patient and humbling yourself proves that you too can make the right advancement in life.

Now living a life of substantial wealth in Christ, Estella is a free woman who’s working and building her media empire that motivates and inspires others through the works of art and entertainment. Currently taking pride in her husband, Dorian Wright and their children, she looks at life to be enriching and full of a well-rounded support system. Feeling compelled by her story, Estella feels that there is no shame in sharing her life story. She hopes that her story heals and motivates those that feel all hope is gone.

Estella Dior is a, Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, an Author and a Spoken Word Poet who has overcome trials and tribulations with goals to enrich and inspire everyone she meets. Her hopes are to transform each being and to convert their lives from walking by sight, but by Faith alone.

We would now like to officially introduce the world to the transformation of “Estella Dior, Media Mogul”

Get to know the author:

1.) What inspired me to write?

Princess Dior: As a child I would always write and I loved to speak. After facing many adversities in my life, I was introduced into a new world where I could live the American Dream if I stayed on the right path. I knew that if I told my story, I could help others that may be in some of my past situations. #PrincessDior

2.) What were some downfalls of writing?

Princess Dior: Staying focused was really hard for me. I live with, not suffer from ADD. With my love for writing, I had so many tell me that I wouldn’t or couldn’t do it. This always played over and over in my mind, but with strength and perseverance, I won that battle. #PrincessDior

3.) What advice would I give another inspiring author?

Princess Dior: Never let someone speak your life into existence. If you can think it, you can become it. Always continue to strive to be whom and what you want to be, your dreams are your destiny. There will always be a yes in the wake. #PrincessDior

4.) What motivated my plot?

Princess Dior: My life is my plot. From a young child until today, there is always a new road of discovery. #PrincessDior

5.) What message do you want your readers to receive after reading your book?

Princess Dior: That no matter what you have been through, your past doesn’t determine your future. #PrincessDior

6.) Are you working on anything else?

Princess Dior: Yes, my sequel to “Crowned”. Stay tuned in, this one will answer a lot of questions about the real Roxie. And the plot really thickens! #PrincessDior

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

AAMBC New Book Release

Tears of a Hustler by Silk White

Tears Of A Hustler by Silk White

Four and a half years in prison and finally Pauleena is back in the free world, ready to hit the ground running and get back to business. However, one problem stands in her way….The Spades. With Wolf out the game, The Spades leader Dice has no choice, but to step up to the plate and keep the movement moving, before new management takes over. The only question is does he have what it takes to lead thousands of troops into battle, as well as keep himself out of jail and not get his head blown off in the process? Free to do what he wants, Wolf has the freedom he has always sought…but the game can’t and won’t let him go no matter how hard he tries to avoid it. Join Silk White as he takes readers imaginations into a fast paced story of betrayal, deceit and disloyalty. Watch as the tables get turned and nothing is as it seems….let the journey begin…….

Excerpt

Pauleena entered the shower room and grabbed some scrawnylooking white girl who was drying off and tossed her out of the shower room, then slammed the door behind her. Instantly Jessica looked up and saw Pauleena standing in the shower room fully dressed. Right then and there Jessica already knew what time it was.

“Oh I see you one of them hard headed bitches.” Jessica spat. She stood talking to Pauleena as if she wasn’t butt naked. Jessica was a big girl, but she wasn’t fat nor was she skinny. Jessica rinsed the remaining soap suds off of her body, then cut the shower off, as she noticed Pauleena heading towards her. All the steam that filled the shower room and floated through the air made it hard for Jessica or Pauleena to seeclearly. “Come on bitch.” Jessica growled taking a defensive stance. Once Pauleena was within arm reach, Jessica fired off a quick jab.

Pauleena weaved the jab and caught Jessica with a stiff right hook. Jessica’s head snapped back as the strap on her shower slippers broke off. Once Pauleena saw Jessica struggling to keep her footing she went in for the kill and fired punches from all angles hitting Jessica all in herface and head. Jessica fought back as best she could, but every time she tried to gain momentum in the fight Pauleena hit her with another punch.

Jessica kicked off her other shower shoe, backed up and took a second to regroup. She eyed Pauleena closely, the fresh scratches that covered her face were beginning to burn and sting, so she quickly moved on to plan B. Jessica charged Pauleena and was rewarded with two stiff punches to the face. Jessica took the punches well, reached out and grabbed a handful of Pauleena hair. “Bitch!” Jessica barked, then tossed Pauleena into the wall by her hair. Pauleena’s body sounded off loudly when it made contact with the wall. Jessica held Pauleena’s hair with one hand and fired off several punches to her face, followed by a few knee strikes.

Outside the shower room Remy as well as several other inmates stood outside the shower room’s door listening to the gruesome battle that was taking place on the other side of the door. They didn’t know what was going on, but from the sound of it they could tell that it was going down.

A native of Harlem, New York, Silk White began his writing career in 2006. He is the author of the three part Urban Fiction series Tears of a Hustler and Co-Owner of Good2Go Publishing and Good2Go Films. Silk has No Way Out and Black Barbie as a film credit under Good2Go Films and in his spare time, loves to write and act. He is currently producing a new movie and is hard at work on his next novel.

Interview with Silk White

1. Tell me about the finale to your critical acclaim trilogy Tears of a Hustler?

This book is the finale to a trilogy that was written 2 years ago. We took our time with releasing part 2&3 to help build up our fan base in between releases. It’s a classic finale that all our loyal fans have been waiting for. I promised I wouldn’t let them down and according to the reviews we have received so far, everyone is happy. Check amazon.

2. What made you decide to start your own publishing company rather than signing with an establish publisher?

Well after Tears of a Hustler PT 1 was released I had several offers on the table, but from a business standpoint it just made more sense to release my titles under my own company. In the short term it’s a lot of work because you have to build your fan base one fan at a time, because you don’t have any distribution. But once you’ve established your brand like we have, you make 100% of the profit. At the rate we’re going we should be one of the biggest independent african american owned publishing companies out there in a few years. We’ve reached over 200,000 households in two years with no help. Right now we have good2go publishing and good2go films our movie Production Company and Third Lane Marketing.

3. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Writing was a natural process for me, growing up in the environment that I grew up in and my life experiences help enhanced my already vivid imagination. My ability to translate my imagination thru writing was a god gifted talent that I discovered when I was going thru unforeseen circumstances.

4. What’s the best thing about being an author?

I really appreciate all the love and support that I get from the fans. They are the ones that keep me motivated. It’s amazing to see all the support that I get from all parts of the country, outside the country also. Shout out to all my UK Fans. I never thought that one day my work would have reached over 70,000 households.

5. What are you working on now?

Well I just wrapped up my 5th book which is slated to be released Nov 25 2011. Its called The Teflon Queen. So be on the look out for that. You can pre-order an autograph copy now from www.good2gopublishing.com I also just finished shooting my 2nd movie under good2go films its called Black Barbie. The first movie is called No Way Out you can get that at www.good2gofilms.com

6. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

This piece of advice is not just for writers but any aspiring entrepreneurs out there. Especially, the youth coming from underprivileged communities. Sometimes in life we get a bad hand to play with. You have to make the best out of the hand you’re given. The best piece of advice I can give is, spend all your time and energy focusing on accomplishing your goals whatever it may be, you’re going to get results. Surround yourself with good people you trust, Sleep 5hrs work 19hrs.

I just want to say Thanks to everyone out there for the love and support. Keep supporting me and Good2go Publishing

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

AAMBC New Book Release

Miss Nobody by Nicole Dunlap

Synopsis of Book:

~Deception, greed, and fame dismantle their lives~

Charlene and Raven, mother and daughter, are woven together by blood, but separated and haunted by circumstance: personal struggles, concealed demons and

Miss Nobody by Nicole Dunlap

uncovered skeletons.

Fifteen-year-old Charlene Shaw is frustrated with life. She embodies every young woman’s starry-eyed dreams and heads for Hollywood. On her rugged road to fame, Charlene’s using everything in her might to erase the past–even at the point of compromising her own love story. Charlene still can’t wipe away her deepest fear that shakes her very core… Raven.

Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tiny Christian town Bellwood, North Carolina. She’s a feisty, confident young thing who won’t hesitate to use her fist when bullies mock her as a bastard. Overcoming teen depression, she finds love. A first love, a teenage romance to die for. Now, Raven can’t be fully committed to the man that has her heart until she learns shy she’s been neglected.

When their path’s collide, Raven asks to questions–two family secrets–that can ruin their lives, leading mother and child on the road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody”

Get To Know The Author – Nicole Dunlap:

Get to know Nicole:

When did you begin your writing journey?

I remember being in my mom’s busted-up car when I was little. We didn’t have a radio and had to travel from Long Beach to the desert. I’d sing–unfortunately, I was no Alicia Keys. I’d gotten threatened so many times to be put out, so I started telling stories.

Why the title “Miss Nobody”?

Though bound together by blood, mother and daughter–Charlene and Raven–, go through high-and-low moments in life. Charlene has abandoned Raven at birth. Just the thought of Raven puts her in fear to the point where she self-medicates. On the other end of the spectrum, Raven grows up and seems to be able to cope. However, after meeting each other, mother and daughter descend down a road of feeling like a ‘nobody.’

Author, NIcole Dunlap

Where did you get the inspiration to write Miss Nobody?

I was initially inspired to write about Raven in this dysfunctional mother-daughter story. I counsel a lot of teens who’ve been abandoned by their parents. Some of them have a very tarnished outlook on reality. They grow older; and if lucky, overcome the negative mentality they’ve created. Others, like Raven, have a hard time coping.

Is there a message in your book(s) that you want readers to grasp?

Miss Nobody shows that others’ can talk about you, hate you, bully you, but only youcan determine the path you will take. Another take away is “what are the lengths that you will go for love. While Raven grows, she deals with “first love.” The world’s greatest man can come along, but it can be a very trying time for a woman whose been abandoned by her parents. How can another man love you when the two people who brought you in this world don’t? How can you love yourself?…These are just a few of the messages.

What sets your books apart from others in the same genre?

I write character-driven books where readers can fully relate. As humans–I’m only referencing those who strive for the best in themselves– we are neither perfect nor are we imperfect, villain or heroine. In The Shaw Family Saga, a reader may not like every character all the time, but at some point, will grow to love Charlene and Raven. The Shaw woman will rattle your nerves. That’s life. If readers don’t relate or feel for the characters because the book is solely focus on plot, why would the reader care about his or her issues?

What’s next for the Shaw girls? Will Charlene and Raven find peace?

I’ve already published the second book in the Shaw Family Saga, Miss Scandalous. It will present new family secrets. Charlene will have a trying time coping with the anger that Raven has built. Can a mother’s love overcome a daughters revenge? Well, Miss Scandalous will bring the jaw-dropping moments of drama and suspense. Their faith and love will continue to be tested.

Where can your fans reach you?

I’m a Pinterest fanatic and have picture boards for Raven and Charlene. Feel free to Facebook or tweet with me about anything under the sun. I have book discussions for book clubs at the back of my novels and enjoy being invited to meetings.

Book Excerpt:

The instructor had on leggings, as if there wasn’t something bulging in the front of his pants. His belly protruded like a Teletubby. He wore a French beret cocked to the side of his head, and his silky, curly hair looked even better than Charlene’s.

Charlene didn’t find out how difficult the class was until standing on the stage in a historical theater attempting to “act.” Every time she read her lines, he shot her down.

“No! No! No! Charlene!” The instructor snapped his fingers as he walked onto the stage. Stiletto heels clicked on the floor emphasizing his disagreeable words. “More dismal. You’re acting is… shitty! I don’t even know how you got in my class.” He put Engine Red nails to his temples, massaged. Rolling his eyes, he added, “Ugh! Not another one–wasting your sugar daddy’s money because you’re bored when he’s working.”

Then he tried on his gloomy face, mascara eyelashes fluttered. “Listen, the script says that your husband has just cheated on you with a sexy man, almost as sexy as me! And you look like that? You must be ecstatic? Want your husband to leave?” He enunciates every word when explaining the script, as if English was her second language.

She huffed, having read the lines a thousand times. If only I hadn’t dreamed about Roy last night. Charlene had taken a couple of pills on the way to class. It was the only place she normally went without taking the Valium. Thinking about Raven, she contemplated what life would be like if she’d cared for her daughter. Her daughter would be starting senior year soon. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke the lines from memory, all the while, thinking about all the milestones in her daughter’s life that she would miss. Graduation…prom…tours to college campuses… In the zone, she began.

When she finished, the theater was quiet as the instructor and the other students stared at her. Warmth crept across her cheeks as she ran off the stage, feeling like a nobody. I was awful! I can’t act… great! Seventeen years and I can’t act!

In the empty bathroom, she grabbed tissue paper from one of the stalls and wiped her face. I don’t deserve to cry. I abandoned Raven for nothing. She opened her purse and pulled out the pills and took a breath. Then on second thought she put the pills back. Looking into the mirror, tussled her curly hair. She put a cold paper towel on her eyes to get rid of the redness. With her head held high, she walked back out of the restroom, into the theater, and onto the stage, ready for the instructor to ridicule her again.

A round of applause echoed across the room.

She was all smiles.

“Charlene, I felt sooooo sorry for you. Honey, with that face you can take a man for all his dough!” The instructor waved his hands around delicately for the crowd to stop applauding. When it was quiet, he added, “I think you’ve got it!” as he clapped, he jumped, he smiled as tears pooled at the corner of his eyes.

Charlene’s face streaked with streams of mascara. I can use my guilt over leaving Raven to my advantage!

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

Success can have many definitions, but ask the people who have obtained it and they will say, “I never gave up.” In BLESSINGS & MIRACLES (June 2013; ISBN: 978-0-

Blessings & Miracles Book

9893682-0-9; $15.00) A MEMOIR, Shashicka Tyre-Hill shares how life didn’t begin in the best of circumstances. At the tender age of four she witnessed her mother and father arguing over him wanting to take food from the family refrigerator and sell it to feed his drug habit. Shashicka’s emotional outburst in response to her parent’s quarrelling landed the young girl in the Savannah Regional Mental Facility. This was the moment that forced her parent’s separation. Things got much worst before they got better. After becoming pregnant at the age of fourteen, there were not many who would have given Shashicka much of a chance in life, but that was not the way Shashicka saw it. From the time she was young, she knew God had a greater purpose and with determination and dedication, she worked hard to find what God had for her.

Although the road was filled with bumps, including sexual advances from her mom’s boyfriend, to almost losing her child to the system and landing on public assistance to survive as a teen mom, Shashicka finally found her passion—
caring for the sick and shut-in.

BLESSINGS & MIRACLES is a moving memoir that will have readers cheering for a young Shashicka as if they knew her. And upon finishing the story, readers will come to realize they do know her. She is the young girl standing at the bus stop, the young boy getting into mischief on the street corner, the kids loitering in the park or cutting class at school. Shashicka represents the battle and triumph of so many children of color who find themselves being raised in single parent homes, forced to grow up too fast, too soon.

“When I was fifteen, and I had my baby and my mother told me to leave her house I believe God had abandoned me. As I was walking in the streets, I was thinking that no one cared about me; I didn’t really have anywhere to go. I cried out to God asking Him why? Why would he do this to me? Why did it have to happen to me? I felt totally alone and I thought that God had forgotten about me — but just for a moment. I had a couple more moments of, “Why me, God!” like when I almost lost my daughter. I really questioned God a lot then, especially while I was locked up. I didn’t understand why when I was doing everything right, when I was working so hard, why I had to go through all of this. But though I questioned God, He was always there.”

Fortunately for her, the opposition allowed her to find passion early in life. A light touch from a caring person can leave a lasting impression and after caring for her ailing grandmother, Shashicka turned her compassion for the sick and shut-in into a career that has not only given her a wonderful life, but has helped others to thrive.

Shashicka’s accounts of her early years force readers to think about the obstacles before them and re-adjust before throwing in the towel. Through her life readers will come to see that the problems we face are often the mental and emotional workout needed to strengthen us for the journey to destiny. Readers will find inspiration as they witness a young girl’s enduring will to succeed, the daunting pursuit to find lasting love and the quest for entrepreneurship.

“When I look back over my life today, I see that there were plenty of times I had to stretch my faith, but the major time for me was when I just couldn’t get my license. Having to do that three times was a lot. And the lady who was responsible for giving me the license spoke such negativity into my life. I remember crying so hard, that I couldn’t even speak. Then, I talked to my mom and she helped me to stretch my faith. That was when I went back for the third time. And, I did it!”

At the age of 21, Shashicka was a married mother of two who had become the youngest person in the country to obtain a home health care license. She started her first business Miracle Health Care in Brunswick, GA. Today she has seven locations in the state of Georgia. BLESSINGS & MIRACLES offers a uniquely personal, deeply intimate look into the complicated past of a teen mom and her will to succeed.

Each chapter of this memoir carries the reader from tragedy to triumph, as this young girl grows into a woman—a successful business woman, despite numerous setbacks.

Get to Know The Author – Schashicka Tyre-Hill

What made you decide to share your story with others?

I want people to know that you can do it no matter what.In the book, you mention an elderly client, Mrs. Duggins, who showed you how to budget. The book doesn’t mention her again after you leave her employment. To satisfy my own curiosity, did the two of you continue to communicate? Did she give you any business advice?

Author Shaschika Tyre-Hill

Yes I did keep in touch with her she pasted in 2009 and she taught me the most important part of business and that was how to budget the money that the business was making.You are very candid about your marital problems in the book. Divorce is extremely prevalent these days. What made you stay even though you knew your husband was cheating?

At the time my main concern was trying to get my business stated and taking care on my kids. There were times in I relationship that I feel as a wife I didn’t allow him to be a man, when we got married we were very young and did understand our duties as husband and wife. A lot of times in a relationship we look at thing one sided, there was things that I did that wasn’t right I never cheated but I took his man hood by not allowing him to be a man of his house. When a person feel like they aren’t need they look to get that feeling from somewhere else. I really don’t believe in divorcing at all I feel that we all make mistakes.

You have accomplished quite a bit at a young age. Do you have any programs that help mentor current or future entrepreneurs or individuals who want to get into the home health care field?

No I don’t have a program, I do business coaching I will teach both men and women what I’ve learned over my 12 years of being in business, I have helped over 8-10 people who wanted to start a business get started that they are all doing wonderful

Besides promoting your book, what else are you working on?

Franchising Miracle Home Care, Starting my 2 location for my Adult Day Care in Savannah GA as well as doing Motivational Speaking and Business Coaching

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

AAMBC New Book Release

Listen to What He Does, Watch What He Says by A.H. Carlisle III

Synopsis:

Have you ever wondered during your journey in building relationships, why the simplest processes turn into the most complex levels of deception? The information that

Author, A.H. Carlisle

you will read in this book is not a quick fix remedy on how to perfect this cycle but allowing more insight on the complexity surrounding men. This knowledge will help you: Understand how men process issues relating to dating; Knowing if he is ready to commit; The many reasons that more and more men’s failure to remain monogamous is deeper than the surface. One of most important things that you will learn is that paying close attention to the Why” will help to determine the “How” in making the best decisions for your life. I will help to stimulate your thinking to align his words with his actions. Building a solid foundation in your relationship has enough challenges considering outside influencers. The ultimate decision on how you move forward in life depends solely on you”.

Excerpt:

“Many times women tend to wonder about the desires of a man and if his will is to consume her solely in a physical manner or if there is more to than what meets the eye. This question is a question that plagues the minds of almost every woman from the very first date in which she accompanies a man. The problem is, this question is sometimes answered in the moment. Quite often men will have one idea in mind yet that original idea may change during the course of the date or the tenure of dating. Typically, we all have operated off of a triangle based love concept. The three components of this triangle are physical, mental and emotional. In general, a man tends to allow physical to be his main component where as women allow their emotional factor to be their main component. Eventually, it is the mental that connects both parties.”

A. H .Carlisle III was born in Youngstown, Ohio and began his journey to self-discovery early on. Throughout his career and personal life, he has had many life experiences, some tragic but many successes. Along the many paths of this journey he began noticing certain patterns amongst his male peer groups. These commonalities prompted his thinking to break down these traits so that women could better understand. It was no secret that he had a passion for helping others and these experiences led him to writing this book, to try to help many. One of his many life lessons is that when people better understand something they are able to react and make better decisions. As a result of these self discoveries, he chose to share this journey of life lessons with others in hopes that it will improve relationships one lie at a time. In bringing issues to light that seem commonly responsible for the demise of many relationships, he hopes to better the decision making process for women and men alike.

Meet The Author, A. H .Carlisle III:

1. In your book, “Listen to what he does, Watch what he says,” you talk about how your personal life inspired you to write. At what point in your journey did you realize you had a story to tell?

My sister, who I speak of in my book, has had a very hard life. She has battled drug addiction for the last decade which has taken an emotional toll on much of our family. There was a point where she was on the road to recovery and her and I talked about our life stories. It was then that I realized I had a story to tell. However, the story I wanted to tell would not be the story I would eventually tell. I originally wanted to talk about all the women I had been with and how I was a self-proclaimed ladies’ man. Boy did I have a story. The deal was for my sister to stay clean and for her to do an autobiography on me and I would pay for everything and she would reap the reward. It never happened but I knew I needed to tell my story. As soon as the “pen hit the paper” the story took a drastically different angle. I realized what I really had been through and how much more powerful of a story that would be. Why not try to help others the way I have helped myself over the years? Why not use my blessings to “minister to others”? And so my story began.

2. With popular books such as, “Act like a lady, Think like a man,” why do you think it’s important for woman to be aware of the difference between action and words?

If you have read “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” or most other relationship books out there, you know that they are all doing the same thing, telling you how to change in order to make things work out for you. Changing should not even be an option unless you are changing to become a better you. At the end of the day you can be the best person you can be but if the person you are dealing with is not ready to be in that relationship, not ready to commit, or not ready to show respect and honesty, what does it matter how much you have changed or how good you are? Truth is, it doesn’t. You have to first be aware, be able to not only listen to what they wish to tell you but also watch what they are doing in relation to those words. This is how you help to protect yourself from wasted time and potentially from people who do not have your best interest at heart.

3. You get very personal in the beginning of your novel and as a writer I appreciate the transparency, what was your thought process on opening up about your childhood and how do you think it helps your reader?

My thought was simply this, we all have problems. As humans we are fallible and that is just the reality of it. A lot of the problems we have however are or were uncontrollable. Most of us just choose to block out these problems and think that we are good, never realizing how we are being affected. It took me a very long time to link my childhood problems to my problems of today. Most people never come to that realization and so they continue to sabotage their own relationships. I hope that in my honesty and transparency, others will be more emboldened to first understand and then accept responsibility for what is affecting their own life and the decisions they make.

4. “Failure has to be a realistic option for a woman because even though she is ready and willing to settle down and give her all, this does not mean that the man she meets or even the first ten men will also be ready.” Why do you think this is such a hard concept for some women to grasp and how are some of your female readers responding to this?

I think the biggest issue is emotional blindness. Just as I talk in my book about men being raised to be tough and to not show emotion, women are raised to be nurturers, to have a family and to be a wife. This has been engrained in women throughout society since the beginning of time. How does a woman separate emotions when meeting a man who appears to have it all together? Especially when he is saying everything so right. They must take off the emotional blinders in order to realize that it’s okay to fail, if you believe you are worth being a wife, when the right man comes along then being a wife you will be. My female readers are really taking to the idea; however, it’s easier said than done. This is the lead in to my next chapter…..

5. Your Facebook page is filled with tidbits of advice for healthy relationships, what has your response to that been like and do you believe it helps promote your book?

The response has been amazing. My page has gone from simply promoting healthy relationships to providing relationship advice. Women want to believe that it is possible to have a healthy relationship and I am here to help them continue to believe. The important part is ensuring they understand their part in making it happen. I am not sure it helps to promote my book at the level I desire; however, I do believe it helps to promote me. As I grow, the promotion of me will help to lead people to want to read what I am putting out, whether it is in books or speaking forums.

6. My column is called The Lit Underground and what we are doing is focusing on authors who are self-publishing or are with independent publishers who have made their presence known on a smaller scene. What is the best advice that you can give? Something that you’ve learned from experience that no one told you before getting into the literary game.

The best advice I can give is, gain credibility and gain a fan base. Without it you are doomed for failure.

7. What’s next for Andrew Carlisle and where can your fans reach you?

I plan to put out a book of my own quotes around May/June. This will also be the introduction to the next book.

Thank you for reading “grown up creativity” and for being a book lover. Through my blogging platform, I also serve as a blogger for AAMBC Public Relations, a company founded by author Tamika Newhouse (www.aambc.com). It is my pleasure to help Tamika increase exposure for up and coming authors and to help spread the word about what’s new in creative writing! Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter

AAMBC New Book Release

Buffalo City Czar by James Scott

Synopsis:

Buffalo City Czar is the story of a young Buffalo City boy that ascends to power and becomes mega-maniacal while a maverick federal team vows to stop him.

Excerpt from Buffalo City Czar:

The phone rang, but neither of them had heard it. They were too engrossed in each other to hear anything but the waves of the ocean.

Mrs. Jones smiled back and raised her glass. They crossed their arms and stared into each other’s eyes.

“For better or worse,” he said to her.

“Until death do us apart.”

They both downed their glasses of Dom Perignon Oenotheque, and then embraced for a long juicy kiss.

Mr. Jones was the first to break away. “I have something for you.” He was excited, and then said, “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.”

He hurried to the master bedroom to retrieve his wife’s surprise from his luggage. He tossed the designer suitcase on the bed and unzipped it. That was their last night at the hotel before they left for the Caribbean Islands, so most their clothing had been packed away already.

Right where he had left it, on top of his clothes sat a rectangular shaped, black suede jewelry box. He proudly smiled, opened the box, and then inspected its contents. Satisfied, he closed the box and began zipping the suitcase when he suddenly remembered the kilo of coke he had ingeniously disguised at the bottom of his luggage. He pushed his clothes aside and quickly grabbed the coke that he had poured into a Johnson and Johnson baby powder container. He popped the cap of the container then expertly stuck his long nailed pinky finger inside of the container. He scooped up a hefty mound of the raw Peruvian flake and deeply inhaled the white powder. Damn, this shit is good, he thought, and then did the same to the other nostril. He almost choked as he was interrupted in the middle of taking another hit.

“Babe, what’s taking you so long?” The new bride grew impatient and yelled from the living room.

In a strained voice, he answered, “Just hold your horses’ baby. I’ll be there in a second.”

Meet the Author, James Scott:

James Scott was born in Buffalo New York in 1966. He endured the toughest streets, prison, and near death. Through the grace of God, he was given a second chance to

Author, James Scott

relive his life through different circumstances. After enrolling into ITT-Technical school majoring in information technology, James began following his dreams of writing. He hopes to entertain the world with the tales of the dark side. Today, he resides in Atlanta, Georgia a proud father of two of Gods most precious gifts.

1) What inspired you to began writing, and when did you start?I was inspired to write through my passion for reading. In 1989, I spent eight years in Attica Correctional Facility a jail in New York State. To escape the horrors of my unpleasant incarceration, I read daily and wrote about my experiences inside and out of prison.

2)Tell us about some of your favorite authors that inspired you?

Harold Robins, Sidney Sheldon, Iceberg Slim, and Donald Goines an others inspired me. Those were some of the first books that I began reading in prison. I was so fascinated by the stories that I read that I began reading all kinds of books. Tom Clancy, Eric Jerome Dickey, Annie Rice, and James Patterson. James Patterson was the author that had the most influence on my wanting to write. The way that he puts together a mystery plot had me up late nights wanting to know what happened next.

3) What is a typical day like for you?

(laughter) That’s funny, because if my readers actually knew what a typical day was like for me they would be surprised. However, after work each day, I come home and workout in my gym for 30 to 45 minutes. It relieves the stress from my job and puts my brain at ease. After taking care of my bodily grooming, I eat and pick up where I last left off with my writing. My mood depends on how much time I put into my work.

4) Does your novel Buffalo City Czar have any special connection to your real life or your past?

Absolutely, it’s very much connected to my past. I don’t want to get into details, but, although my novel is a book of fiction, I wrote it based on real life experiences.

5) Tell us your favorite character in Buffalo City Czar and why we should love or love to hate them?

My favorite character is Mike. You got to love him; a little tough man with a short man complex. Knowing his childhood you can’t help but to have sympathy for him. But then you fall in love with his swagger and begin to respect his gangster. When he begins to fall off, because of the death of his woman, it’ll make you want to see him get his shit together. Nevertheless, you would never expect for Mike to make the last move he makes.

6) What plans do you have for marketing and promoting yourself and your brand to readers?

I plan to market myself by any means necessary: internet, bookstores, libraries, book signings, radio.

7) Do you have any plans on publishing any other novels? If so, tell us a little about them.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have several manuscripts that I plan to publish. God willing, my next novel is about the con game, a mystery/romance novel. Also, I have an erotica, a murder-mystery, and an uncensored autobiography about my life. I am 46-years-young and have experienced a side of life that the average 46-year-old would have never survived. I give all praises to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My life was spared in order for me to share my life with the world.